What is diabetes ?

Diabetes is a disease, which causes people to urinate a lot and to be very thirsty. If not treated, it can have serious consequences. This disease is uncurable; its effects can be limited, but never totally cured. Over 350 million people are diabetics; that’s one in 20 human beings!

But what is diabetes caused by?

The word “diabetes” is from the greek word meaning “a siphon”, because, in ancient times, it was noticed that people with diabetes passed water like a siphon. Today, we know that diabetes is due to a lack of the hormone insulin, which allows the body’s cells to absorb glucose (sugar). Sugar not absorbed by the cells remains in the blood, which is very bad for the organs. Because the kidneys can’t filter all the sugar, it’s eliminated in the urine. The body therefore expels too much water, which leads to dehydration and thirst. Diabetics therefore have to inject with insulin, the missing hormone, so that their cells can absorb the sugar. They also have to check their blood sugar level with a meter.
More and more young people are affected by this disease. We think that one of the causes is a diet that is too rich. To limit the risks of developing diabetes, we must eat a balanced diet and do some sports. On November 14th every year, World Diabetes Day is used to help teach the general public about the causes and consequences of this disease.